which electric trolling motor for pontoon

[snakeriver]

Just wondering if anybody could advise me on what thrust trolling motor seems to work well with pontoon boat. Mine is the eight foot variety. I would also like to be able to use it later this summer with a small fishing boat. This board always seems to have some knowledge in most all areas to do with fishing. So I ask for your advice.
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[CREED]

I have the Minn Kotta 34lb. and it work great on my pontoon, I cruised all over Island Park, Palies and Ririe with it. They are not too expensive either, I think I got mine on sale for $100.00
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[flygoddess]

Agree with Creed. Minn Kota over Motor Guide here and the smallest will suit you just fine. Spend the extra and get a killer battery. Remember to slide your frame forward and put the battery right next to the back of the seat (center of gravity)
Also, license and invasive species sticker.
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[MatchT]

when you say license, do you mean a boat registration is required with trolling motor?
If so, does that also mean other boat safety requirements...whistle, fire extenguisher, and other items....
Match
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[flygoddess]

Yes..Idaho is Coast Guard requirement all the way.
License, plate, haul # & letters, just like a boat.
Ridiculous isn't it, when you can actually stop the blade on an electric.
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[duksnfish]

And I know of 2 guys who have been ticketed for not having the stuff on their pontoons so just be careful.
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[cpierce]

You might try posting this on the Float Tubing forum. Also search there for more motor info. I know that it has been discussed before on that forum.
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[snakeriver]

thanks for all the replies. I picked up a minn kota 30 lb thrust. it was that or a 40 at sportsmans. I'm looking forward to trying it out.
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[mudsucker]

I have a remanufactured Minn Kota 30. It pushes our heavy old 1960s glas boat right along, and on the little 10' rowboat, you could almost ski. I bet it works great on your pontoon.
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[flygoddess]

30 will be plenty and the shorter shaft makes it easy to handle.
Now if you want to mount in on the back to PULL you (which is the most energy efficient) undo the bolt holding the head on, turn the head so it is facing the same direction as the prop and careful not to clip a wire, put the bolt back in.
All five forward speeds now to pull you, with the reverse gears to push you forward when needed.
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[snakeriver]

Thanks for the tip Flygoddess, I just made the mod. you recommended. That will work just like I had hoped it would. I just need some open water now to try it out.
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[MMDon]

[quote MatchT]when you say license, do you mean a boat registration is required with trolling motor?
If so, does that also mean other boat safety requirements...whistle, fire extenguisher, and other items....
Match[/quote]

With an electric trolling motor you don't have to carry the fire extinguisher, but you should have the whistle and a PFD. You must have registration as was pointed out above.

I have a MinnKota 40 lb thrust on mine and use the doughnut type tube that holds the battery between the pontoons. It also has a transom on it for mounting the motor that I have built up. The longer shaft makes all of this much easier to use on a very stable platform. With the 40 I can buck the wind and get back to the bank when others may be sticking their thumbs out on the other bank looking for a ride back around the Res.
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[flygoddess]

MMDon, I was told several years ago, that Idaho follows the Coast Guard Law all the way which means you HAVE to carry a whistle...know anything about that?

That 30 will be fine on his 8'er. I had one on my 11 1/2'er for many years and still have one of the motors. Mine finally died and with the Outlaw, I needed the longer shaft, so I too have the 40.

Pokymon has 30's and been using them for years. There is little resistance with a pontoon foot print. Like it is very east to get up on two skies, and I have done this behind a 25 hp boat as it takes very little power.
But where you are dragging a donut, that is resistance and more power is nice.
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[MMDon]

I believe you do need the whistle but I generally carry one of those small air canister horns they sell at Wally World. Sometimes you need to wake up someone in a big boat before they run you over.
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[curt69]

If you want open water , you could go to Crystal Springs pond . It don't freeze over . Curt G.
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